By Chris Roots
It is a big day for owner Kevin Hickman as the New Zealand 2000 Guineas quinella of Ugo Fuscolo and Savile Row chase group 1 glory on different sides of the Tasman on Saturday.
Hickman brokered a deal to sell a half share in Ugo Fuscolo to Australian interests after his 2000 Guineas victory and the three-year-old makes his debut for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick in his familiar yellow silks.
Tough assignment: Adrian Bott says running Ugo Fuscolo in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick is the best way to get him to a Doncaster.Credit: bradleyphotos.com.au
Half an hour later, Savile Row will carry the same colours in the New Zealand Derby.
A winner of five of his six starts, Ugo Fuscolo ended up at Tulloch Lodge after Waterhouse matched offers from Hong Kong and he has impressed Bott since arriving.
"There were offers on the table from Hong Kong but Kevin wanted to give him his chance in Australia and that helped us. We were able to put a deal together that kept him in the horse," Bott said.
"Kevin stands Zacinto at his stud, Valachi Downs, and Ugo Fuscolo could be a great way to promote his stallion."
Ugo Fuscolo and Savile Row had been on the radar of the Tulloch Lodge team but the preference was for the horse they secured after months of negotiations. Ugo Fuscolo has only added to his reputation since arriving, winning a recent barrier trial at Warwick Farm.
"We know he is taking a tough assignment first-up in Australia against some of the best sprinters in the country, but it is the best way to get him to a Doncaster and we see him as that sort of horse," Bott said.
"From what we have seen on the track and in his trials he looks to be well above average.
"He is taking on five group 1 winners that are all older than him but we are confident he is up to matching it with them. He is only going to get better as he steps up in trip."
There has been money for the three-year-old already in next month's Doncaster and he has tightened his price from $8 to $7.50 in the Canterbury Stakes.
Chautauqua remains the $2.90 top pick in front of Music Magnate at $3.80, while Le Romain is a $5 chance.
Meanwhile, Hickman will be in Auckland to watch his other classy three-year-old Savile Row, the 2000 Guineas runner-up, as he starts favourite in the New Zealand Derby.
Savile Row, which is prepared in partnership by Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard, has three group 1 seconds to his name and could head to Sydney for the Australian Derby. He is raw and there is a concern his immaturity could count against him on Saturday.
"He's still a big baby and really hasn't clicked yet," Gerard said after his final gallop on Tuesday. "He still does things wrong and it has cost him. He should have won his last two starts."
The ultimate racing form guide with free tips, live odds and alerts for all racing.